By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
A quiet visit turned into some big moments for local students last week.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon made stops locally at Colman-Egan School, Flandreau Indian School, and at McCrossan Boys Ranch as part of a national tour focused on connecting with students and educators.
McMahon started the day at Colman-Egan, spending time with students and moving through classrooms, from preschool to ag education and career-focused programs, getting a firsthand look at how students are learning.
“It was great to have such a prominent person in the government to come and see the programs we have in the school,” Superintendent Scott Hemmer said.
He said the visit gave students a rare chance to share their plans and experiences directly.
“During this time she took the time to visit with almost all of the students… and had very down to earth conversations with them,” Hemmer said.
McMahon also observed hands-on learning in areas like family and consumer sciences and small engine repair, where students walked her through their work and how the classes operate.
“I personally thought it was a great experience for the district to be able to show our school off,” Hemmer said, adding that the highlight was seeing students engage directly and share their stories.
The tour then continued to Flandreau Indian School, where high school students participated in an interactive history and civics program.
FIS has seen enrollment rebound in recent years and after pandemic-era declines, with recent facility updates and programming driving much of the renewed interest.
The visit comes at a time when schools across South Dakota — and the country — continue to look for ways to balance traditional academics with revised learning materials and real-world preparation. The visit, educators say, also gave students a voice in shaping the decisions that shape their future.
